Here's How Habitat MontDelco Is Building Hope In The Community

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat constructs homes for affordable home ownership, preserves aging housing stock by completing critical home repairs, provides financial literacy and life skills classes and revitalizes neighborhoods.

After struggling for several years as a single mother, Marianne Lynch, CFRE, CEO of Habitat MontDelco, was finally able to own a home and was inspired to help others do the same. Learn more about how she, along with her dedicated team of volunteers, is continuously serving the community, helping break the cycle of poverty and making dreams come true.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

Lynch: Habitat for Humanity International just celebrated its 40th anniversary and locally, our chapter has been around for 28 years. In that time, we have built 82 homes, serving 223 adults and 164 children and have grown to offer four programs including homeownership, home repair, financial education and neighborhood revitalization.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Lynch: For me personally, my commitment to serving others came out of a difficult time in my own life when I needed a little help. I was a single mom, trying to raise a son on my own struggling to find and keep affordable housing. My son and I moved seven times in his first seven years of life. When we finally were able to own a home, it made such a profound difference in our lives that I wanted to help others do the same.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?

Lynch: Hand up, not a handout.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Lynch: The biggest challenge for me has been managing our unprecedented growth. Over the past five years, the organization has doubled its service area, grown from serving a handful of people to serving 1100 per year and expanded our staff to meet those needs. Now, we are embarking on another expansion with a second ReStore in Horsham. Just keeping all the parts moving in the same direction can be challenging at times.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Lynch: There are two – the most satisfying parts of this work are either when we fix an elderly person’s roof so that they can age gracefully in place (I have seen lots of tears of joy) or when I hand over the keys to a family who has just purchased a home through Habitat. I know in that moment their lives are going to change forever and for the better.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Lynch: Habitat is a fairly complex business model – we are a real estate developer, a construction company that works with a largely unskilled but enthusiastic labor force, a bank, a retail organization that sells used items and a social service organization that helps its customers improve their lives as a whole, not just their living situation. Through this model, we not only help people become self-sufficient, but we also help build wealth, break the cycle of poverty and provide an economic stimulus to the community, all while having streams of income besides donations. There are not a great number of non-profits who have such a comprehensive approach to serving others.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Lynch: I have been given many pieces of advice over the years, but I think the one I pass along to my team regularly is that this work is a marathon, not a sprint. To do it well takes planning, patience, a sense of humor and lots of grace.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Lynch: We are extremely excited to be opening our newest ReStore in Horsham! The ReStore sells donated gently used and surplus building materials, appliances, cabinets and housewares at a fraction of retail prices. There are always treasures to be found and all proceeds go towards our mission. The new space is 23,000 square feet, allowing us to showcase the wonderful donated items we receive. Every purchase helps Habitat, but also, every donation keeps items out of the landfill. To date, our other location has kept more than 900 TONS from our waste stream. Imagine what the larger space will be able to do!

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

Lynch: We have our ReStore Grand Opening on March 17 and 18, our annual Gala on April 12 at Normandy Farms. This year’s theme is “The Magic of Habitat” with a special performance by Oz Pearlman, The Mentalist (he’s been on America’s Got Talent, Rachel Ray, the Today Show and more…). On April 21, we are hosting our 3rd Rock the Block Community Clean-Up Day in Pottstown. Volunteers are welcome! Finally the week of May 5 through 12, we are hosting Women Build, a fundraiser that empowers women to become more familiar with power tools and home building while working on one of our home builds.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Lynch: The best way to learn more about us is through our website or follow us on Habitat MontDelco's Facebook, Restore Mont Delco's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

This Patch article is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties.

Image Credit: Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties